UK: Crop sustainability projects secure funding

Government research councils have awarded more than £4m in research funding to six projects to help improve the sustainability of horticultural crops. The funding is the second round of awards from the Horticulture & Potato Initiative (HAPI), developed by Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Natural Environment Research Council and (NERC) the Scottish Government. The Sainsbury Laboratory group leader Professor Jonathan Jones said, subject to regulatory approval, the new GM Maris Piper potato his project is developing “could prevent many tonnes of pesticides and fungicides being sprayed on our land, increase yields and make a healthier crisp or chip”. More